A prevalent issue, climate change, has been the least prioritised item on the agenda for Pakistan. Climate change, a global phenomenon, has been neglected by local administrations for years now. In fact, the Ministry of Climate Change was founded in 2017.

Even though the current administration has launched certain initiatives, their fate remains uncertain for more than one reason. Movements like clean green Pakistan, billion tree Tsunami and stringent policies against cutting deployed by the new ministry have garnered attention. Still, the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of such projects is a looming question.

Unfortunately, the real trouble over the years has been the ruling elite’s inability to initiate constructive discourse, much-needed for future readiness where climate change is concerned. Attending international forums and participating in conferences achieves little when there is little to no implementation of the new knowledge on the ground.

The World Economic Forum has appreciated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s steps. But satellite data revealed that many issues persist. For instance, the mangrove cover is only two per cent. Furthermore, the Billion Tree Tsunami Project does nothing to save the existing matured trees. Planting trees is undoubtedly a good initiative, but it would require 10-20 years for them to grow fully. Strict policy implementation is necessary to manage the damage caused by excessive tree-cutting. There is a need to implement the already existing policies instead of creating new ones and going through the redundant policy approval processes again.

The independence of institutions is also required, which will help as climate change is a concern for all.

Sound measures and policies include reliance on renewable resources when it comes to energy production, responsible waste management, securing of tourists spots and ensuring proper waste management protocols, hiring of staff and providing them with efficient machinery for management of dams, barrages, canals to mitigate one of the most major risks associated with climate change, i.e. water scarcity.

The problem does not stop here; Lahore has been sinking in its waste due to the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s narrative, i.e. “we can clean our city ourselves; why do we need foreign firms for this menial job?”

The sudden abrogation of contracts with foreign company waste management leads to a loss in machinery, money and even reputation. Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) is now stuck with faulty machinery and fewer human resources as garbage continues to pile up. A waste dumping site near Arfa Karim Tower in Model Town is a glaring example of the mismanagement of waste in the city. The burning of such massive piles of trash is also adding to the risks associated with climate change.

The installation of sorting bins and creating awareness through campaigns can improve waste management in major cities.

Reducing taxes on imported parts of bikes, rickshaws, trucks, and buses, but not cars, is a loophole in the government’s current EV (electronic vehicle) policy. With the absence of electrical charging ports in-country and unreliable electricity supply, a lot needs to be done by the government and the social actors involved in this project.

Pakistan needs to cut down on its CO2 and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) emissions. Promoting the use of electric vehicles, cloth bags instead of paper ones, and public transport can all prove helpful.

The policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions allow a third of the electricity produced to come from coal, rendering all other efforts useless.

China has decided not to finance coal power projects around the world which raises questions about its current investments in over 20 countries, including Pakistan. However locally, coal power is still used to cover the energy deficit that still hauls over the country, which has the international community concerned.

Through the coordination of national and international organisations, it is necessary to respond to environmental challenges. According to scientists and international environmentalists, assessing the current climatic conditions, releasing early warning systems, and proper risk assessment can drastically reduce the chances of future global climate catastrophes.

It is pertinent that the officeholders realise their responsibilities and ensure that Pakistan does not suffer the projected catastrophic impact of climate change. Heatwaves, flash tsunamis and a rise in occurrences of cloud bursts and deadly pandemics and epidemics should be enough to jolt the policymakers’ conscience.

The writer has recently graduated from the Information Technology University (ITU) Lahore